If you struggle with chronic back and neck pain, you may want to consider seeing a physical therapist or chiropractor. While there are many possible treatments, spinal decompression therapy is one option that can effectively reduce chronic pain in the lower back and associated discomfort in the neck, arms, and legs.

Why Choose a Non-Surgical Treatment

While some back conditions require surgery and/or strong pain medications, many people can find relief for chronic pain with non-surgical options such as chiropractic care and physical therapy. These non-invasive treatments can be used for effective pain management and can even help improve a patient's overall health.

Spinal Conditions and Traction Procedures

Often, neck and back pain comes from a problem in the spine. Spinal decompression therapy can effectively address pain by reducing stress on the spinal discs and repositioning the body into a healthy posture. This treatment can address several common spinal issues, including:

Sciatica

Spinal stenosis

Postoperative recovery

Herniated discs

Degenerative disc disease

Facet syndrome

How Spinal Decompression Therapy Works

Essentially, this type of treatment is designed to reduce compression forces on the discs and facet joints. Decompressing the spine helps reduce lumbar, neck, leg, and arm pain and can also treat the symptoms of herniated or bulging discs. In many cases, decompression therapy is combined with other physical therapy exercises for maximum effectiveness.

A lumbar decompression table is an important element of this treatment method. This specially designed motorized table moves to help stretch and relax the spine in a controlled manner. This movement can create negative intradiscal pressure that allows misaligned disc material to move back into the correct location.

The reduction of internal disc pressure can also encourage the spinal area to draw in oxygen and essential nutrients to promote healing. Most patients don't feel pain during the procedure but do experience a sensation of stretching in the back and hips.

Generally, patients undergoing a decompression course of treatment complete between 15 and 20 sessions. Each session usually includes traction treatment as well as physical therapy exercises. Of course, the exact details of a treatment plan depend on a patient's unique condition, goals, and needs. Some patients feel significant pain relief after just a few treatment sessions.

Benefits of Spinal Decompression Therapy

The basic idea of decompression through traction has been around for centuries. The modern-day improvements to static traction allow customized procedures that can be completely controlled by a physical therapist or chiropractor. One of the most important benefits of this type of treatment for chronic pain is that it effectively targets the source of the pain.